Clark's net gains for Lancashire

Lancashire's newest signing knows he has to impress if he is going to force his way into a team of champions. Which is why Jordan Clark has turned down a winter in the sun in favour of slogging his guts out in the Old Trafford indoor school.

Lancashire's newest signing knows he has to impress if he is going to force his way into a team of champions.

Which is why Jordan Clark has turned down a winter in the sun in favour of slogging his guts out in the Old Trafford indoor school.

Having come through the Red Rose academy and scholarship scheme, the 21-year-old batsman signed his first pro contract with the club in October.

But he is no rookie. Clark, from Cumbria, made his Lancashire debut in the CB40 in 2010, and backed it up last season with three games in the same competition and an extended run in the Friends Life t20. He was given his chance on the back of some impressive displays in the second XI for whom he scored three centuries last season.

He was offered the chance to follow in the footsteps of Red Rose team-mate Paul Horton - who is starring for the Matabeland Tuskers - and play first-class cricket in Zimbabwe this winter. However, with Mark Chilton’s retirement leaving a place open for a top-order batsman in Lancashire’s County Championship side next season, Clark decided to stay in England and work with coach Peter Moores.

"Last year I made the choice to stay in England with the help and direction of a few of the coaches," said Clark.

"That was the same this year as well. We’ve been in training three or four days a week since mid-November.

"I had the chance to go away this year to Zimbabwe, but I turned that down because I felt that last year was so beneficial to me. I wanted to replicate that. It was an individual choice. I spoke to Peter Moores about it, and he was quite happy to let me do what I felt was best for me.

"Last year went so well for me, which I put down to pre-season, so I thought I'd do it again. It was a month or two month's worth in Zimbabwe, but I felt that I’d benefit more by being here and being involved with the team spirit of our staff."

Clark watched from the sidelines as Lancashire won the County Championship outright for the first time in 77 years last season.

Now, he wants to be a part of the team which defends it.

"It was a massive thrill to see the lads win the Championship," said Clark. "It took a while for me to appreciate how much it means to the club and the lads. I just wish I had been a part of the four-day stuff. It’s everyone’s dream to play four-day cricket.

"I'm in the first year of my contract, but my aim is to play four-day cricket this year as well as more one-dayers and Twenty20s."

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